Just over 33 percent of the city's 25,662 registered voters turned out at the polls.

PPE Casino Resorts MA LLC, the company behind the project, must file its application to the state Gaming Commission by Oct. 4, but first needed approval from city voters.

PPE Casino's Managing Partner Joe Weinberg called the result a great victory.

"We're thrilled by the fact there was such a large turnout and interest in the issue and the overwhelming support by the voters of Leominster," Weinberg said.

Leominster's Live! Casino Massachusetts is competing for the state's sole slots-casino license with proposals in Plainville and Raynham. Raynham held its referendum vote Aug. 13 with 86 percent approval, and Plainville held its on Sept. 10 with 76 percent approval.

Also, the state is issuing three full casino licenses separate from the slots license.

Weinberg and Pat McCarty, chairman of the pro-casino lobby group Jobs & Revenue for Leominster, said they were not bothered that their proposal won by a smaller margin than their competitors'. They said turnout in Leominster was higher compared to the other communities.

"You have a much more interested, informed electorate that showed itself in Leominster," Weinberg said. "I think it's a much stronger show of support in the project than the other communities."

It projects there will be 600 construction jobs while the casino is built followed by 500 to 700 permanent jobs.

The project was supported by state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan and state Rep. Dennis Rosa, both Leominster Democrats. It also won support from the police and public-works unions.

Mazzarella signed an agreement with PPE Casino that guarantees the city $3.8 million or 2 percent of the casino's gross revenues annually, whichever is higher. The yearly payments break down to include $1 million in property taxes, $2.7 million in community benefits payments and $100,000 in impact fees.

The percentage of gross revenues will rise from 2 percent to 2.5 percent after 10 years. The city also wanted to make sure it would get automobile excise fees so it included a stipulation that the company's vehicles will be registered in Leominster.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.